>>  CHALLENGE Recent national studies have provided new and conclusive evidence that neighborhood quality has a profound impact on life outcomes for children living in poverty. Yet an increasing number of King County’s low-income households live in low- income segregated neighborhoods where current opportunities are more limited. >> APPROACH KCHA balances efforts to expand geographic choice and access to high-opportunity neighborhoods with continued investment in bringing new opportunity to existing underserved and low-income neighborhoods. REMOVING BARRIERS TO GEOGRAPHIC CHOICE As a regional housing authority spanning a wide range of cities, local housing markets, and school districts, KCHA is in a unique position to promote fair housing results. Through the use of multi-tiered subsidy levels that more closely match sub-market housing costs across the county, we make it possible for voucher holders to access more expensive ZIP codes while not driving up rents in less expensive markets. We also focus our acquisitions and development opportunities in high-opportunity areas of the county. In 2017, we preserved 709 units of affordable housing through acquisitions in these neighborhoods. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 11